Support Your Breasts People!
All breasts need support regardless of your cup size.
Poor breast support can lead to:
Breast Pain
Reluctance to participate in sport and exercise
Tension and increased load on the soft tissue of the breast and skin
It can also impact your sports performance!
This is because it increases the amount of muscle activity in the upper body when you are wearing a low support bra.
It can also lead to a shorter stride length while running. This is your body’s innate way of reducing bounce.
It can change breathing frequency and depth. Aka you may start holding tour breath in an attempt to reduce discomfort and bounce.
It may also impact your biomechanics. One study showed changes in knee and trunk mechanics whilst wearing less support. They found the knee dipped inwards in landing tests. This position is where we are at most at risk of ACL injury.
What to look out for when buying a sports bra:
Can you breathe when you are wearing the bra? Sounds silly but if it is too firm across the chest it can impact breathing mechanics
How does it feel when you do 5 star jumps (if your body can handle this). Or do some jogging on the spot. Can you feel the bounce? Is it sore? It may not be the one for you
What time of the cycle are you in? If you get discomfort in the week leading up to your period you may need to take this into account when trying on
Has the sports bra been tested in regards to support level? Was this testing done in house or independently?
The compression type bra’s may be better for smaller cup sizes. For bigger cup sizes a combination bra may be a better option.
For bigger cups, consider adjustable and wide straps
If you are breastfeeding make sure there is no underwire! I would also recommend feeding/pumping before trying on and running.
